Special Parliament session Live: Lok Sabha Speaker OM Birla meets MPs after Parliament adjourned Sine Die
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 18, 2026, 12:17:53 IST
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Special Parliament session Live: Lok Sabha Speaker OM Birla meets MPs after Parliament adjourned Sine Die
Women Reservation Bill Debat: In the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Harivansh Narayan Singh on being elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman for a third consecutive term. Modi said the election reflected the House’s “deep trust” in Harivansh and praised his “intuitive leadership,” stating that the Upper House had become more effective under his stewardship. He noted that Harivansh not only conducts proceedings but also uses his experience to enrich debates, and expressed confidence that his new term would continue with balance, dedication, and commitment to strengthening parliamentary functioning.
Lok Sabha is set to continue discussions and voting on major constitutional and allied legislation on Day 2 of the Parliament session, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. These Bills are central to the government’s framework for implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislative assemblies.
The Women’s Reservation Act, 2023—passed as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam—was formally notified to come into force from April 16, 2026. Officials said this was a technical step necessary to operationalise the constitutional amendment under consideration, adding that the law cannot be implemented in the current House and will take effect only after delimitation following the next Census.
The House also witnessed sharp political exchanges over delimitation, with opposition leaders flagging concerns over federal imbalance and regional representation.
Separately, the Rajya Sabha proceedings highlighted PM Modi’s remarks praising Harivansh’s leadership and long tenure in the Chair.
12:12 (IST) Apr 18
'Black day for centre, for the 1st time they faced a setback': Priyanka Gandhi on Centre' over failed Delimitation Bill
12:11 (IST) Apr 18
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi holds press conference, slams women's reservation bill proposal
12:04 (IST) Apr 18
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla meets floor leaders after both houses were adjourned sine die
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met the members of Parliament in his office after both houses were adjourned sine die.
PM Modi, Union HM Amit Shah, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Congress MP Kumari Selja, Congress MP KC Venugopal and MPs were present.
11:21 (IST) Apr 18
Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die
11:15 (IST) Apr 18
Lok Sabha adjourned sine die
11:10 (IST) Apr 18
Opposition never wanted women in Parliament, Assemblies: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on Women's Reservation Bill
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday accused the opposition of attempting to prevent women from entering legislative bodies, asserting that women would continue their struggle to secure representation in Parliament and state assemblies.
Speaking on the Women's Reservation Bill, Gupta said, "The Opposition had already decided that they would never allow women to reach the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies."
She further alleged that opposition parties do not want women, who constitute nearly half the country's population, to gain political representation.
"These people do not want crores of women, who make up half the country's population, to ever reach the House," she said.
Asserting women's determination to secure their rights, the Chief Minister added, "But we women will claim our rights."
The remarks come after the BJP-led government failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha to pass the Constitution Amendment Bill, which was linked to implementing women's reservation through delimitation. In the voting held after a marathon debate, 298 members supported the bill while 230 opposed it, leading to its defeat.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the bill did not pass as it fell short of the constitutional threshold. The government had introduced three interlinked legislations, including the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, but Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju later said the remaining bills would not be pursued.
Defeat of Constitution Amendment Bill betrayal of nation's woman power: Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath termed the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of seats of the Lok Sabha "betrayal of the woman power" of the nation.
A Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday.
In a post on X in Hindi, late on Friday night, Adityanath said, "Today, a dark chapter has been added to the history of India's great democracy. The Opposition's obstruction of the passage of the Constitutional Amendment Bill essential for the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' is a blow to the honour of 'Bharat Mata' (Mother India). It is a betrayal of the entire woman power of the nation; it is an infringement upon their democratic rights.
"The Congress-led 'INDI' alliance has exposed its anti-women mindset. The women of the nation are watching and understanding everything. They will remember this deceit and injustice, and when the time comes, they will surely give a reply. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister @narendramodi ji, the NDA alliance will continue its unwavering efforts to protect the honour, dignity, and rights of women, and to ensure their empowerment."
11:08 (IST) Apr 18
'Not a win, but a black day for democracy': Ramchander Rao hits back at Priyanka Gandhi's 'victory' remarks
Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao on Saturday criticised Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over her remarks on the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill, alleging that her stand amounts to blocking greater representation for women in Parliament.
Speaking to ANI, Rao termed Priyanka Gandhi's statement "disgusting" and said that, despite being a woman parliamentarian, she has taken a position that prevents common women from entering Parliament.
"Priyanka Gandhi's statement is very disgusting. She, being a woman and that too a woman parliamentarian, has today blocked the entry of the common woman into the Parliament. She has stated that it is a victory for democracy, but it is a black day for democracy," Rao said.
He further alleged that the Congress leadership is not serious about increasing women's participation in politics and accused it of having a narrow, family-centric outlook.
"I think that Priyanka Gandhi may be enjoying because it has blocked the common woman from coming into the Parliament. A day will come when this family will be ousted, and common women will enter the Parliament," he added.
11:07 (IST) Apr 18
'Let's see who is anti-women': Priyanka Gandhi challenges govt to bring back old women's bill
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday urged the Centre to reintroduce the original Women's Reservation Bill, a day after the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha during the special Parliament sitting.
Speaking to ANI, ahead of the final day of the special sitting, Priyanka Gandhi challenged the government to bring back a version of the bill that had previously received broad political consensus. "They (Centre) should bring the old women's bill, the one which was passed by all parties, immediately on Monday. Hold Parliament on Monday, bring the bill and let's see who is anti-woman. We will all vote and support you," she said.
Her remarks come amid an intensifying political standoff between the ruling BJP-led government and opposition parties over the failed legislation, which was linked to the implementation of women's reservation through a delimitation exercise. The bill could not secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, with 298 members voting in favour and 230 opposing it.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that the Constitution Amendment Bill had not been passed. Following the outcome, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government would not proceed with the remaining two interlinked bills.
04:48 (IST) Apr 18
'Insult meted out today to Nari Shakti will never be forgiven': Jaishankar lambasts Oppn after bill defeat in LS
External affairs minister S Jaishankar lambasted the opposition, including Congress, TMC, DMK and Samajwadi Party, after the Constitution Amendment Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha, saying that the "insult meted out today to Nari Shakti will never be forgiven."
"Today, we all saw the true face of Congress, TMC, DMK and Samajwadi Party. By blocking the Constitutional Amendment that would reserve one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, they have denied women their legitimate rights. The nation is watching, and so are its women. The insult meted out today to Nari Shakti will never be forgiven," Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Today, we all saw the true face of Congress, TMC, DMK and Samajwadi Party. By blocking the Constitutional Amendment that would reserve one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, they have denied women their legitimate rights.
"The nation is watching, and so are its women. The insult meted out today to Nari Shakti will never be forgiven," he added.
23:17 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: TMC accuses BJP of deleting women voters from rolls, calls women’s reservation ‘hypocrisy’
— PTI_News (@PTI_News)
22:57 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: ‘Defeat for Mr Modi’s arrogance’, Kejriwal on failure of Constitutional amendment bill
— ArvindKejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal)
22:50 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says, 'The anti woman stance of the Congress has been exposed'
22:30 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Amit Shah slams opposition for 'celebrating after defeating women'
— AmitShah (@AmitShah)
22:16 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, 'Today is a black day for reformist ideas of India'
— ANI (@ANI)
21:52 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Shaina NC slams Congress, DMK, SP over women’s reservation bill
— ANI (@ANI)
21:36 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Government wanted to divide the country through this Bill, TMC MP Mahua Moitra says
— PTI_News (@PTI_News)
21:35 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Chirag Paswan slams Opposition, calls INDIA bloc ‘anti-women alliance’
— PTI_News (@PTI_News)
21:29 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Nitin Nabin accuses Congress of blocking women’s rights
— ANI (@ANI)
21:28 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: KC Venugopal says Opposition defeated attempt to ‘hijack democracy’ over women’s reservation
— ANI (@ANI)
21:07 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Kangana Ranaut calls it ‘painful day’ in House, says women’s morale shattered
— ANI (@ANI)
21:05 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Tejasvi Surya says Congress ‘betrayed women’ by blocking historic opportunity on reservation bill
— ANI (@ANI)
20:47 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Amit Shah slams Opposition for blocking women’s reservation bill
— AmitShah (@AmitShah)
20:25 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: MK Stalin tweets- 'Tamil Nadu has defeated Delhi' after CAB defeated in Lok Sabha
20:24 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Shashi Tharoor calls outcome ‘convincing victory’, says Opposition voted to protect democracy
— ANI (@ANI)
20:11 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: 'Country watching defeat of women's quota bill, Opposition will have to pay,' says Union minister Giriraj Singh
20:10 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: BJP's women MPs protest outside parliament against defeat of Women's reservation bill
— PTI_News (@PTI_News)
20:10 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Akhilesh Yadav says 'we were against those who sought to usurp women’s rights'
— PTI_News (@PTI_News)
20:09 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: BJP's women MPs protest outside parliament against defeat of Women's reservation bill
20:07 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Rahul Gandhi reacts to failure of CAB, says, 'we defeated attack on Constitution'
20:05 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra calls failure of women's reservation bill 'big win for democracy'
— ANI (@ANI)
19:47 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Kiren Rijiju slams Opposition for defeating constitutional amendment bill, says govt will ensure women’s reservation
19:45 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Lok Sabha adjourned till 11 am on Saturday
19:35 (IST) Apr 17
Special Parliament session Live: Constitutional amendment bill for women quota fails to get 2/3rd majority, defeated in Lok Sabha
19:31 (IST) Apr 17
Women's Reservation Bill 2026 Live Debate: Constitutional amendment bill for women's quota defeated in Lok Sabha, fails to get 2/3rd majority
19:24 (IST) Apr 17
Delimitation Bill 2026 debate: How the numbers stack up
The constitutional amendment Bills require a special majority of two-thirds of those present and voting to be passed. With an effective strength of 537 in the Lok Sabha, the two-thirds mark comes to 360. The ruling NDA, with 293 members, falls short by 67 seats.In the Rajya Sabha, the magic number is 163, while the NDA’s strength of 142-plus members leaves it 21 seats short of the majority mark.
19:16 (IST) Apr 17
Delimitation Bill 2026 debate: Stalling women’s reservation is ‘ruthless politics’, says Amit Shah
19:10 (IST) Apr 17
Delimitation Bill 2026 debate: Amit Shah says Congress opposes PM Modi’s decisions without thinking
19:07 (IST) Apr 17
Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament Live: Amit Shah says BJP’s women CMs and first woman President show commitment to women's leadership
19:04 (IST) Apr 17
Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament Live: Amit Shah says Congress will face women’s wrath in elections over bill opposition
18:59 (IST) Apr 17
Parliament special session day 2: Amit Shah says Congress shows ‘fake concern’ for backward classes, stalled reservation panels, ignored suggestions
18:55 (IST) Apr 17
Parliament special session day 2: Amit Shah says caste census to be conducted with 2026 census
18:53 (IST) Apr 17
Women's Reservation Bill 2026 Live Debate: Amit Shah accuses Congress govt of stalling reservation panels, ignoring their suggestions
18:51 (IST) Apr 17
Women's Reservation Bill 2026 Live Debate: Amit Shah says no religion-based reservation in Constitution, slams Congress ‘appeasement politics’
18:47 (IST) Apr 17
Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament Live: Rahul Gandhi thinks women’s reservation bill will fail without his votes, ‘won’t let it happen’
18:41 (IST) Apr 17
Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament Live: Uproar in Parliament as Opposition protests Amit Shah’s ‘north-south divide’ remark
18:38 (IST) Apr 17
Delimitation Bill 2026 Live Debate: Amit Shah says delimitation not anti-South, opposition wants ‘north-South divide’
18:33 (IST) Apr 17
Delimitation Bill 2026 Live Debate: 'Rahul Gandhi should learn from his sister Priyanka how to speak in Parliament', Amit Shah says
18:30 (IST) Apr 17
Delimitation Bill 2026 Live Debate: Amit Shah accuses Rahul Gandhi of ‘wasting’ Parliament's time
18:29 (IST) Apr 17
Women's Reservation Bill 2026 Live Debate: All INDI bloc leaders opposed women reservation bill with 'ifs & buts', Amit Shah says
133 More Updates
In the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Harivansh Narayan Singh on being elected unopposed as Deputy Chairman for a third consecutive term. Modi said the election reflected the House’s “deep trust” in Harivansh and praised his “intuitive leadership,” noting that the Upper House had become more effective under his conduct. He added that Harivansh not only presides over proceedings but also draws on his experience to enrich debates, expressing confidence in continued balance and dedication in his new term.
Lok Sabha is set to continue discussions and voting on key constitutional and related bills on Day 2 of the Parliament session, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The Bills form part of the government’s framework to operationalise 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures.
The Women’s Reservation Act, 2023 was notified to come into force from April 16, 2026, with officials describing it as a technical step required for implementation of the proposed constitutional amendment. They clarified that the law cannot be implemented in the current House and is linked to delimitation after the next Census.
Meanwhile, political tensions continued as opposition members raised concerns over delimitation and federal balance.